For Those Who Don’t Love The Draft …

So for those joining Joe for the first time this weekend. Here’s a recap:

The Bucs snagged stud Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks last night in the second round, before scoring a quarterback, yes, a quarterback, in Round 3. That would be 6-7 Mike Glennon out of North Carolina State. Greg Schiano said he knew of him going back to his high school days, but the Bucs honchos insist Josh Freeman is “The Guy.”

Today, the Bucs moved up 12 spots in the fourth round to grab run-stuffing defensive takcle Akeem Spence out of Illinois and, with their other 4th round pick obtained from the Patriots in the trade for Aqib Talib, the Bucs drafted underachieving yet monstrous defensive end Williams Gholston out of Michigan State.

The fifth round brought defensive end Steven Means out of the University of Buffalo, then the Bucs traded LeGarrette Blount to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick and track star Jeff Demps, who may quit football.

The Blount trade opened the door for the Bucs to trade up in the sixth round to grab Miami tailback Mike James, who is rather Blount-like, but smaller and likely a better receiver.

Now you’re up to speed before the seventh round. And you’re welcome to surf around and read more on all the picks.

22 Responses to “For Those Who Don’t Love The Draft …”

I think fans are reading too much into this.. This draft for the bucs was more about adding depth for keep positions and they picked players that matched the starters.. Like Glennon and Mike James.

Don’t read too much into it that Freeman is on notice..I think this team got a lot better today.

The rebuild is now complete.. All we got to do from now on is tinker here and there and if a better player does come around that is an upgrade well you make the move but this team is now ready for a play off push..

I think it was a good draft. We really needed one impact player and some quality depth. If you count Revis as our first rd pick like Dom and Schiano are saying then I believe we got at minimum two impact player s on Revis and Banks. I believe Spence will make a difference and Gholston will see some game time as well. This is really the ideal draft to follow last years draft and the last two years FA additions. Every pick met a need.

where did you get this from, or did you make it up because you are depressed?
everything i see and am reading say demps wants to be a dual-sport star. nfl network has even reported a few times that the bucs are amenable to him missing some football time.

We drafted for depth? Well we did good at. I’m glad we had a good offseason cause we maybe drafted one starter. The worst draft we have had in as long as I can remember. Who drafts players to be backups when you could draft potential starter. I give us D

I’m doing my best to stay patient with some of the fans on this board. Every pick that was made filled a need. Got a CB for the future, an insurance policy for freeman, a replacement for Roy miller, d-l depth,a potential new starting OLB /situational pass rusher , & a short yardage back that can catch the ball out of the backfield… And oh yeah Jeff Demps can return kicks too.. All things I’ve seen ALL of you complain about needing, and then when we go get them, you question the BUCS scouts who I’m sure have many more resources than google and YouTube. trust in the BUCS process, man..

I totally agree.. Time to see what this team can deliver. We got good starters and decent depth, a coaching staff that is now settled into the role, players in the 2nd year of the system what else could we ask for. This team has been stripped down and rebuilt over the last 4 years and we are well set for the future and we are also in great hands with both GM and Coach having had some experience and leant from past mistakes..

Time for all you fans to either support this team and its push for a playoff spot or go find another team to support – I am sick of hewing your whining… If you want to complain so much either pick another team that does what you like, go buy your own team and do what you like or just stop watching football.. Lol there I said my bit..

Why a three-technique instead of a true NT?? Is Spence seen as a back-up? I don’t get this….James I sorta like; can be a HB back-up, a one-back, or a FB in a pinch…The trade, odd deal. Demps is a speed guy that you try to find a use for; almost never works out, but Blount had no future with the club, so a wash….The OLB conversion, hope it works out….Gholston seems to be a ”Tarzan/Jane” type player, hard to get excited about that….LOVE taking Banks.
A weird draft.

Just a little something I threw together regarding the UDFA’s the Bucs have picked up thus far:

A few are camp bodies, some look like threats to win roster spots. The list isn’t complete yet as the Bucs are one of the few teams to have tryout camps.

Robert Marve, QB, Purdue-6’1 212-transferred from Miami. History of ACL injuries to left knee. Strong arm, good mobility (4.81) still. Solid player that COULD contend for a practice squad spot.

Akrem Shavers, RB, Purdue-5’10 198-another signee from Purdue, has good speed and quickness (4.48-some had as low as 4.35, 39″ VJ, 6.89 3cone). Moderately productive, 871 yards. Ability to return kicks could give him outside chance of making team.

Montel Harris, RB, Temple-5’8 208-former BC starter was kicked off the team for disciplinary reason and resurfaced with Temple. Has seemingly been around forever and his play seems like it. A hard charging, slightly speed deficient (4.57) smaller back, rushed for over 1000 yards this past season (though 356 came against Army). Has talent to stick as a 2nd or 3rd RB but has a history of character and knee issues.

Hubie Graham, TE, Pitt. 6’3 237-Too small to be effective blocking, too slow to be effective running routes (4.93), Graham projects best as a camp body that may or may not make it to see the start of training camp.

Evan Landi, TE, USF, 6’3 240-Local product dosn’t have much size or speed (4.87). Very similar to Graham in his chances to make an impact.

Chris Denton, WR, Mount Union-5’10 193-ran 4.67 but showed good explosion in other drills. Trying to use experience as punt returner to help make roster. Was fairly explosive as a returner…for Div III.

Nick Speller, OT, UMass, 6’5 300-Weighed in lighter than expected at Pro Day (listed at 334), transferred from Syracuse. Known as more of a mauler and tested that way (5.23, 24.5″ VJ) in everything but the bench press (15!). Will probably tried inside at OG because he has problems with speed…. but might not be big enough to hold up inside.

Brice Schawb, OT, ASU, 6’7 303-Huge frame, projects better at RT where his limited athleticism (5.35 26″ VJ) and good upper body strength (29 reps) will do him some good.

Branden Smith, CB, Georgia, 5’10 172-Small and fast (4.38), troubled with some off field issues (arrested for drug possession in spring. If he can keep clean and work hard, has a shot as a nickel CB. Also returns kicks.

Rashaan Melvin, CB, Northern Illinois, 6’2 192-Yet another long CB. This one can really run though (4.42 38″ VJ). Played at high level during senior season and due to experience and athletic ability, has shot at sticking.

Deveron Carr, CB, ASU, 6’0 187-Yet another good, draftable CB picked up as an UDFA. All three CBs thus far have legitimate chances to stick on the final roster. Has a ton of speed (4.36) and was Pac-10 Honorable Mention. Like many of the other prospects, can also help out as a kick returner. It wouldn’t surprise me if all 3 CBs make the final roster/practice squad.